PEORIA, Ariz. -- Padres manager Bud Black certainly isn't wasting any time when it comes to unveiling any of the new acquisitions general manager A.J. Preller assembled this past offseason.

When the Padres face the Mariners at 12:05 p.m. PT on Wednesday (live on MLB.TV) in their annual charity game, which marks the Cactus League kickoff for both teams, new outfielders Matt Kemp and Justin Upton will be in the team's starting lineup.

Veteran lefty Elbert impressing Padres' staff early

PEORIA, Ariz. -- When pitcher Scott Elbert opted for free agency this past offseason, ending an 11-year run in the Dodgers' organization, the left-handed reliever was eager to start the next chapter in his pro career.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Morrow aims to claim final spot in Padres' rotation

Right-hander signed this offseason before offense's overhaul, brings bullpen experience

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Black on Morrow, rotation 19:11

Bud Black discusses his options for the fifth starter heading into 2015, including Brandon Morrow

By AJ Cassavell
/
MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. -- When Brandon Morrow was considering signing with the Padres this winter, he received assurance there were big changes on the way in San Diego. Sure enough, the Padres delivered.

"They told me they were going to aggressively improve the offense," Morrow said. "But they went way beyond the expectations of what I thought they could probably do. And then to do it without getting rid of the starting pitching that was already here -- that's big."

Black has multiple options across diamond when filling out lineup card

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Yangervis Solarte is a third baseman who also plays plenty of shortstop and second base. Clint Barmes spent parts of last season playing all four infield spots across the diamond. And Alexi Amarista has played at least five different positions in each of the past three years.

Sense a trend in San Diego? Just about every infielder expected to break camp on the Padres' roster can play multiple positions -- and play them competently. Even Jedd Gyorko, who is firmly entrenched at second for the Friars, came through the Minors as a highly touted third baseman.

AJ Cassavell is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Camp notes: Maybin likely to lead off spring opener

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Black on Maybin's spring mindset 0:44

Bud Black gives an update on the health and mindset of outfielder Cameron Maybin as the Padres prepare for the season at Spring Training

By AJ Cassavell
/
MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Cameron Maybin may be the forgotten man in the Padres' outfield, following a busy offseason. But there's a good chance he'll get the first at-bat of the spring for the club.

Manager Bud Black all but confirmed Maybin will start and hit leadoff when the Padres face the Mariners in their Cactus League opener on Wednesday. Black wouldn't make anything official because of his policy to let the player know first.

Four pitchers in competition for No. 5 starter role

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Between meetings and pressed for time, Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley scooped up a bowl of pasta just before the lunchroom closed at the team's training facility, a quick bite before he huddled again with the coaches.

Balsley has been busy devising a way to find innings for the 29 pitchers in big league camp during the upcoming Cactus League schedule, which begins in earnest on Wednesday against the Mariners.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Struggling as a starting pitcher last season took a toll on Brandon Maurer when he was with the Mariners, but it was the days between his starts that really ate away at him -- four days teeming with self-doubt, frustration and searching.

"It got to be a little overwhelming," Maurer said. "I'd have one bad start and then another and then I'm starting to think about what I need to change, what I need to switch-up. I would say those four days got to me a little bit."

Padres top pitching prospect has shot at fifth rotation spot

PEORIA, Ariz. -- After essentially breezing his way through the Padres' organization, three-plus seasons filled with dominant starts, pitcher Matt Wisler was told early last May that he was being promoted to Triple-A El Paso.

"I had heard it was a pretty good hitter's league, so I was expecting a pretty good challenge," he said.

Black says former first-round pick could be used as bench bat

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Pity poor Glenn Hoffman, the Padres third-base coach who works with the infielders. His hands might be covered in calluses by time the team reaches the first game of spring on Wednesday, let alone Opening Day.

The Padres have 10 players in camp who are currently getting reps at first base during drills. While many don't figure into their 2015 plans, at least one could push his way into consideration with a strong showing this spring.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- First-year general manager A.J. Preller won't come out and say he's completely finished revamping the roster, mostly because one injury or one tempting call could change all that fast.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- In a 12-month span, Padres shortstop Alexi Amarista played in 209 games -- 21 games in Spring Training, a career-high 148 regular season games with the Padres and then 40 games this winter, concluding this month in the Caribbean World Series.

Asked when he might have allowed himself some downtime this offseason, Amarista flashed a sheepish grin before relaying an answer to a translator, teammate Wil Nieves.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres figure to use the remaining five or so weeks of Spring Training to decide who will be their fifth starter in their rotation, a competition manager Bud Black has described as wide open.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Luebke determined to pitch again after two Tommy John surgeries

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Luebke back in Padres camp 1:37

Cory Luebke talks about being back at camp after undergoing two Tommy John surgeries and recovering after missing the last two seasons

By Corey Brock
/
MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The fog of anesthesia was just beginning to clear that morning last February when Cory Luebke, resting inside of a recovery room after his second Tommy John surgery in 21 months, noticed there was a couple in the room with him.

The man happened to be Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, the Iron Man himself. Ripken was at the Pensacola, Fla., clinic of noted surgeon James Andrews with his wife, who had also had surgery.

Righty eyes bullpen session soon; next step is flat-ground session

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Right-hander Josh Johnson said he was excited Thursday at the prospect of throwing a bullpen session in the near future, which would be a significant milestone for him in his return from Tommy John surgery last April.

Johnson, who is currently playing long toss three times a week from 180 feet, will increase his distance to 200-plus feet next week, and he will throw twice a week.

Lyle Spencer has been a reporter for MLB.com since 2005. He has covered Major League Baseball as a reporter and columnist since 1971. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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Hedges shrugs off rankings, focused on Majors

Padres prospect a defensive standout, looking to improve at plate

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Black on Hedges' development 1:12

Bud Black discusses Austin Hedges' development and maturity at camp and how the catching prospect can move up in the organization

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Padres' annual minicamp for many of the organization's top prospects got underway Wednesday at the team's Spring Training facility.

All told, 39 players -- 16 pitchers, five catchers, nine infielders and nine outfielders -- began drills as well as individualized instruction from the organization's Minor League coordinators, managers and coaches.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The curious case of Trea Turner took another twist Tuesday when the Padres' 2014 first-round Draft pick arrived in Peoria, a surprise addition to big league camp.

Turner is purportedly the player to be named and sent to the Nationals in the three-team trade that also involved the Rays in December. His name is not included in the paperwork between the Padres and Nationals.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- New outfielder Matt Kemp has had two months to digest the news that he has arthritis in both of his hips, a detail that was revealed publicly after he took a physical before his December trade from the Dodgers to the Padres was officially consummated.

What has Kemp done to address the situation, and what will he do moving forward?